Thomas doesn't sugarcoat disdain for PEDs

Frank Thomas' 521 home runs, his .301 lifetime batting average and his longtime outspokenness against performance-enhancing drug users would seem to make him a lock for election to the Baseball Hall of Fame next January.

So when asked whether he felt bad for Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire — all of whom were denied admission to the Hall amid admissions or suspicions of PED use, Thomas didn't mince words.

"I wouldn't say I feel bad for them," Thomas told reporters Saturday at SoxFest. "I respected them on the field, but they chose this. They made their own decisions off the field and they have to live with it.

"These guys did put up some incredible numbers, but they are fake. Any time you look at the PED situation and Lance Armstrong, you look at stuff like that and it's serious out there. I just thank God I'm blessed I did it the right way and have a good family base that made me outwork everyone else. That's the only way I made it to the big leagues. I was never that blue chip prospect."

Thomas is disappointed that no one was elected to the Hall this year but hopes that at least Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine will be elected with himin 2014.

"Like I said, I spent my whole career working my (rear) off, and hopefully I get what I deserve," Thomas said.

Championship memories:Joe Crede doesn't think he will swing a bat again because of the lingering back problems that ended his promising career in 2009, but his memory served him well when he and former teammates Aaron Rowand,Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko reminisced about the Sox's 2005 World Series champion team.

Rowand said the team bonded quickly, and he shared a story about a fishing trip with Crede and A.J. Pierzynski in which a prank led to someone finding fishing bait in their dress shoes.

Dye, who got the game-winning hit in the fourth and decisive World Series game at Houston, said he still owns the car he received for winning the World Series most valuable player award.

"I can't get rid of it," said Dye, adding that the car has only 10,000 miles on it.

Extra innings: Area scouts honored reliever Hector Santiago Friday night at the 48th annual New York Professional Baseball Hot Stove League. Santiago confirmed he won't pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. … General manager Rick Hahn received impressive reports on outfielder and 2009 first-round pick Jared Mitchell from assistant general manager Buddy Bell, based on Mitchell's play in the Instructional League last fall.